Gratitude tap is a powerful social development game that reminds children that they are appreciated and reminds them to appropriate others.

Purpose of Gratitude Tap

The purpose of Gratitude Tap is to make kids feel more accepted, valued and respected by peers. Working in an after school program I have found this activity most useful a few months into the school year when children are comfortable with each other and start to take each other for granted.  This activity is a powerful social development game that reminds children that they are appreciated and reminds them to appropriate others.

Set Up

• Gather a group of children and have them sit in a chair with their eyes closed, and their head on a table.  Tell them to close their eyes and listen closely to directions.
• As the administrator you will say “In this activity we are going to focus on self-control, and regulation.  In this exercise you may be tapped on the shoulder if that happens keep your eyes closed and your head down until I say otherwise.  I am now going to touch a few people on the shoulder”
• Tap 2-4 children on the shoulder depending on the size of the group.
• Administrator, “ If I did not touch you on the shoulder keep your head down and eyes closed.  If I touched you, you may stand up and open your eyes and come to the front of the room.  In this exercise I will read a sentence, and ask those of you who are standing to touch someone on the shoulder.  I will ready 4 statements, than those who are standing will sit down, and I will pick new people to stand.”
• If your eyes are closed they should remained closed until I say to open them, even if you are tapped.

How to administrate Gratitude Tap

Speak to those who are standing, but talk loud enough so everyone can hear you.  Say,  “tap someone who you consider a friend.”  Those standing will then go around and tap at least one person they consider a friend.  Read another statement from below. After you have read four statements and those standing have tapped at least one person every time have them return to their chairs and select a new group to be the tappers.  Continue the game until everyone has been a tapper.

Tap someone who…

• Makes you laugh
• You have learned something from
• Is beautiful inside and out
• You ca trust
• You can always count on
• Who is artistic
• You appreciate
• Who is a good athlete
• Who is intelligent
• You couldn’t live without
• You want to know more about
• Is strong
• Is a good person
• Makes you feel important
• Is nice
• Gives it their all
• Is a true leader
• Who is special to you
• Is reliable
• You can tell anything
• Who challenges you
• Has great ideas
• You admire
• Brighten your day
• Makes you feel comfortable
• Knows the most about you
• Shares an interest or hobby with you
• Would do anything for a piece of chocolate
• You wish you knew better

Follow up to Gratitude Tap

How did it make you feel when you were touch on the shoulder?
How did it make you feel when you were not touched on the shoulder?
Why do you think we don’t tell each other these things more regularly?

More Social Games for Kids

If you like gratitude tap you make like emotional charades. Emotion charades asks kids to act out feelings while others try and read their emotion.

You may also like Bucket fillers from Lessons4littleones.com. Bucket filler activities promote empathy and kindness.